[Closed] Anyone ridden in Bolivia?

Yes, I have. I worked as a mountain bike guide in La Paz. The whole country is incredible, so beautiful, wild. I worked for a company called B Side Adventures. Most of the guiding was on "The World's Most Dangerous Road", but we also took people down Chacaltaya and on some choice singletracks, including the one Cedric Gracia rode in NWD7 or 8, can't remember which. Those are well worth doing, and can be done as day trips from La Paz.

As for cycling north to south, I thoroughly recommend it. I haven't done it myself, but am sure it would be an amazing trip. I would take a mountain bike, as the roads are rough in places and it will be sturdier and easier to get tubes and tyres. Bear in mind also, that Bolivia is a very extreme country. Cycling at 5400m is not easy straight away, so take it easy for a while to aclimatise. Saying that, when you do drop off the Andes to the Pampas, you will drop maybe 4000m in one day, and go from alpine conditions to the edge of the Amazon, which is mind blowing, I tell you! It does mean of course that you will need hot and cold clothes, etc.

Get Hep A and B injections, rabies if you're paranoid, better get malaria pills and a mozzie net if you really want. I would get tythoid injections too, tetanus. Bring a camera... Visa situation is dead simple, you collect it at the border, for most likely zero hassle. They are simple to renew as well in La Paz. Bolivians are generally great fun, friendly, and helpful. Their Spanish is clear and endearing. Add 'ito' and 'queno' to everything and you'll fit right in. I have many friends their now, and can't wait to go back in a couple of years.

When are you thinking of going?

Mansosoul thanks for the info, very helpful. I wouldn't be going until next year. I thought a MTB steel hardtail would be best...something nice and simple with no bells and whistles.

I'm just at the mulling it over stage but the more I find out the more it makes me want to go ... today 😀

It looks like I'd possibly be going solo, is that viable or stupid?

Cheers
Stuart

I did some walking in Bolivia including an "inca" trail which I thought would make a great MTB route.

It would certainly be possible to do without guiding but you would need to get well organised

s8tannorm, I think solo is perfectly viable, and not stupid at all. You will meet lots of Bolivians and other travellers. I will repeat, as a warning, though, that the areas you would be travelling through are extreme, but there are often people about in what at first seems to be wilderness, so if you do get into trouble, you might be less alone in most areas than you would be in the highlands.

A steel hardtail would be great. Seeing as you will need to carry everything for cooking/sleeping, you can't really go with a full sus, which is a shame as it will be rough in places. Try and limit your gear to two panniers so you can have front suspension. Definitely get a steel frame, as it could be welded anywhere if it cracks or whatever. I can't really imagine you'd have any problems. There'll always be a friendly Bolivian to help.

When you do go, please post up your experiences, as I'm sure they will be a great read!